1. Independent risk factors for pressure ulcer development in a high-risk nursing home population receiving evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention

Anrys, Charlotte

et al.

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Van Tiggelen, Hanne

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Verhaeghe, Sofie

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department Health Care, VIVES University College, Roeselare, Belgium.

Van Hecke, Ann

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Beeckman, Dimitri

Örebro universitet, Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; School of Nursing & Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for pressure ulcer (PU) development in a high-risk nursing home population receiving evidence-based PU prevention. This study was part of a randomised controlled trial examining the (cost-)effectiveness of static air support surfaces compared with alternating pressure air mattresses. The sample consisted of 308 residents at a high risk of PU development (presence of non-blanchable erythema, Braden score ≤ 12 or Braden subscale "mobility" ≤ 2). PU incidence was monitored for 14 days. Demographic variables; functional, physical, and psychological characteristics; and data on skin assessment were collected. Independent risk factors were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. The overall PU incidence (category II-IV) was 8.4% (n = 26), and 1.9% (n = 6) of the residents developed a deep PU (category III-IV). PUs (category II-IV) were significantly associated with non-blanchable erythema, a lower Braden score, and pressure area-related pain in high-risk residents even if preventive care was provided. These results highlight the need of a systematic risk assessment, including pain assessment and skin observations, in order to determine and tailor preventive care to the needs of high-risk individuals.

The aims of this study were to identify, assess, and summarise available evidence about the effectiveness of static air mattress overlays to prevent pressure ulcers. The primary outcome was the incidence of pressure ulcers. Secondary outcomes included costs and patient comfort. This study was a systematic review. Six electronic databases were consulted: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed (Medline), CINAHL (EBSCOhost interface), Science direct, and Web of Science. In addition, a hand search through reviews, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of the included studies was performed to identify additional studies. Potential studies were reviewed and assessed by 2 independent authors based on the title and abstract. Decisions regarding inclusion or exclusion of the studies were based on a consensus between the authors. Studies were included if the following criteria were met: reporting an original study; the outcome was the incidence of pressure ulcer categories I to IV when using a static air mattress overlay and/or in comparison with other pressure-redistribution device(s); and studies published in English, French, and Dutch. No limitation was set on study setting, design, and date of publication. The methodological quality assessment was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Tool. Results were reported in a descriptive way to reflect the exploratory nature of the review. The searches included 13 studies: randomised controlled trials (n = 11) and cohort studies (n = 2). The mean pressure ulcer incidence figures found in the different settings were, respectively, 7.8% pressure ulcers of categories II to IV in nursing homes, 9.06% pressure ulcers of categories I to IV in intensive care settings, and 12% pressure ulcers of categories I to IV in orthopaedic wards. Seven comparative studies reported a lower incidence in the groups of patients on a static air mattress overlay. Three studies reported a statistical (P < .1) lower incidence compared with a standard hospital mattress (10 cm thick, density 35 kg/m(3)), a foam mattress (15 cm thick), and a viscoelastic foam mattress (15 cm thick). No significant difference in incidence, purchase costs, and patient comfort was found compared with dynamic air mattresses. This review focused on the effectiveness of static air mattress overlays to prevent pressure ulcers. There are indications that these mattress overlays are more effective in preventing pressure ulcers compared with the use of a standard mattress or a pressure-reducing foam mattress in nursing homes and intensive care settings. However, interpretation of the evidence should be performed with caution due to the wide variety of methodological and/or reporting quality levels of the included studies.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

Connor, Tom O.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

Avsar, Pinar

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

Nugent, Linda

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

Beeckman, Dimitri

Örebro universitet, Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland; Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Research Unit of Plastic Surgery, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

The Patient Knowledge of, and Attitude and Behaviour towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument (KPUP) was developed and validated using a two-stage prospective psychometric instrument validation study design. In Stage 1, the instrument was designed, and it is psychometrically evaluated in Stage 2. To establish content validity, two expert panels independently reviewed each item for appropriateness and relevance. Psychometric evaluation included construct validity and stability testing of the instrument. The questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 200 people aged more than 65 years, living independently in the community; reliability and stability were assessed by test/retest procedures, with a 1-week interval. Mean knowledge scores at 'test' were 11.54/20 (95% CI = 11.10-11.99, SD: 3.07), and 'retest' was 12.24 (95% CI = 11.81-12.66, SD: 2.93). For knowledge, correlation between the test/retest score was positive (r=. 60), attitude section-inter-item correlations ranged from r = -.31 to r = .57 (mean intraclass correlation coefficient of r = .42), and internal consistency for the retest was the same as the test (α = .41 for the eight items). For health behaviours, individual inter-item correlations for test items ranged from r = -.21 to r = .41 for the 13 standardised items. Psychometric testing of the KPUP in a sample of older persons in the community provided moderate internal consistency and general high test-retest stability.

Nursing Center of excellence, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Bernaerts, Kris

Nursing Center of excellence, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Casaer, Michael P

Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Beeckman, Dimitri

Örebro universitet, Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

5. Design and psychometric testing of the attitude towards the prevention of incontinence-associated dermatitis instrument (APrIAD)

Van Damme, Nele

et al.

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium.

Van Hecke, Ann

University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.

Himpens, Annelies

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium.

Verhaeghe, Sofie

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Health Care, VIVES University College, Roeselare, Belgium.

Beeckman, Dimitri

Örebro universitet, Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

Despite the availability of a range of skin care products for the prevention of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), prevalence remains high. Nurses' attitude is an important determinant to take into account in quality improvement projects. This study aimed to design a psychometrically test the attitude towards the prevention of incontinence-associated dermatitis instrument (APrIAD). A prospective psychometric instrument validation study was performed in a convenience sample of 217 Belgian nurses. Construct validity and reliability (internal consistency, stability) were tested. The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a model consisting of four factors and 14 items: (a) beliefs about the impact of IAD on patients, (b) beliefs about team responsibility to prevent IAD, (c) beliefs about personal responsibility to prevent IAD, and (d) beliefs about the effectiveness of IAD prevention products and procedures. Cronbach's α was 0.72 for factor 1, 0.65 for factor 2, 0.63 for factor 3, and 0.47 for factor 4. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.689 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.477-0.825) for the total instrument, 0.591 (95% CI 0.388-0.764) for factor 1, 0.387 (95% CI 0.080-0.626) for factor 2, 0.640 (95% CI 0.406-0.795) for factor 3, and 0.768 (95% CI 0.597-0.872) for factor 4. Psychometric testing of the APrIAD demonstrated adequate validity and reliability measures.

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Beeckman, Dimitri

Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; School of Nursing & Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland.

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the reliability of the Ghent Global incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) Monitoring Tool (GLOBIAD-M). The tool was designed based on the internationally validated Ghent Global IAD Categorisation Tool (GLOBIAD). After designing and validation by experts, one trained researcher carried out 36 observations of 9 patients affected with IAD. Photographs of the IAD lesions were independently assessed by a second trained researcher. Measures for inter-rater agreement (po ) and reliability [Cohen's Kappa (ĸ) and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC)] were analysed. The po ranged between 0.86 for the item 'maceration' and 0.97 for the item 'clinical signs of infection'. The ĸ for the item 'GLOBIAD classification' was 0.61 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.95] and 0.72 (95% CI 0.50-0.95) for 'maceration'. The lowest ĸ was found for the item 'oedema' (0.27; 95% CI -0.24-0.79). The ICC of the item 'redness' was 0.83 (95% CI 0.69-0.91) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.76-0.93) for 'skin loss'. The inter-rater agreement and reliability of the GLOBIAD-M appears to be good for the assessment of photographs by experts. This tool could support clinical decision-making for IAD treatment. Further validation with clinicians is, however, needed.

The primary objective was to study pressure ulcer (PU) category II-IV (including suspected deep tissue injury and unstageable PUs) cumulative incidence and PU incidence density, in a 30day observation period, associated with the use of the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface in nursing home residents at risk for PU development. Secondary objectives were to study (a) PU category I cumulative incidence and PU incidence density and (b) user (caregivers and residents) experiences and perceptions of comfort associated with the use of the support surface under study. A multicentre cohort study was set up in 37 care units of 12 Belgian nursing homes. The sample consisted of 191 residents at risk of PU development (Braden score ≤ 17). The cumulative PU incidence was 4.7% (n = 9). The PU incidence density was 1.7/1000 observation days (9 PU/5370 days). The experience and perceptions of comfort analysis revealed that the CuroCell S.A.M. PRO powered reactive air support surface was comfortable for daily use. The mode of action and the quietness of the pump function had a positive impact on sleep quality. Patient comfort and sleep quality are essential criteria in the selection of a support surface.